WeBelong

My work is part of the ACES Gallery! This pop-up exhibit is a showcase of visual work by BIPOC artists exploring themes of cultural storytelling and community connection. The exhibit offers a platform for both emerging and established artists to share their vision in a public space and spark conversation.

Four found poetry pieces from my series "Letters to My Father" will be featured. Mounted in two memory boxes, the found poetry was created from a Korean-English bible gifted to me by my father when I was young. Come see it!

Opening Friday, October 17th at 5-8pm.
Hosted by colorexpo

I want to give a shoutout and thanks to my friend . It was her work with blackout bible poetry that gave me the courage to tear out the pages of the bible my dad gifted me so many years ago. It felt scary at first and my heart raced just thinking about it but now it feels liberating.

Megan is a trauma-informed writing coach and she recently published her book, Brave the Page. It's all about how writing your own story can facilitate healing. She writes,

"This is why I say over and over again that words are witnesses to our lives. They reveal us and, as a result, heal us by allowing us to be known by others and even by ourselves. With every story we uncover, write, and listen to, we are on a passage to spiritual awakening, and no enlightenment has ever come about without some trial or transformation."

In 2017, I did just this and it changed my life. I started putting words to a page to share in a newsletter all the stories I carried within. I didn't know why but felt a compelling need. With each story, I was able to unburden the pain and shame I had carried my whole life. This revealed to me that the stories I had been telling myself weren't true- that the pain and shame belonged to others and wasn't mine to suffer through any longer. It helped me figure out who I really was and changed me in a fundamental way. This courage to write is what has given me the courage to live.

We all carry stories about ourselves in our heads. If you haven't tried writing about them, consider Megan's book to help guide you. She is an amazingly compassionate person and a wonderful person to work with and someone I trust. Who knows? Maybe it will change your life.